My Sweet Charlie

This story reminds me another TV feature - SUMMER OF MY German SOLDIER - that I watched a couple of weeks ago. The story of a young woman - or girl - who was in love - or involved - in a relationship with a German POW in America. This time, that's not a Nazi POW which it is about but an escaped negro convict and it takes place in the South Texas please...That's nearly the very same scheme, a very moving, poignant story, the struggle against racism and prejudices, préconceptions of all kinds. I am not surprised that so many people reminded this TV movie from their childhood, when it was released. And strangely, maybe you will laugh at me for what I am going to say, but this white female and black male scheme reminds me another film, a horror movie, where there was no classical and predictable love interest between the two of them, a strong story, where the two of those very different people had to fight against the out world.

See what I am talking about?

I speak of course of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. In this feature too, you had a white female and a black man, both closed in a house which did not belong to them, and both had to fight against zombies. Here, no zombies, but racism or full of prejudices people.

So, with this movie which I am talking now, I perfectly understand the metaphor of the George Romero film, where the zombies could represent the racist prejudgment of this era.

But maybe I am wrong after all. See for yourself.

Though Patty Duke is probably best known for her Oscar-winning work as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker", this extraordinary made-for-TV movie contains what is easily her finest screen performance. She is never less than believable as the frightened, immature, uneducated Southern girl who, pregnant with her lover's child and abandoned by both him and her family, takes refuge in a deserted seaside house. There, her solitary wait for the birth of her child is broken by the unexpected arrival of Al Freeman Jr., a black militant on the run for killing a white man. Their relationship, at first defined by mutual contempt and hostility, slowly evolves into a touching love story. The ending is unforgettable. Duke and Freeman share a wonderful chemistry and both were deservedly Emmy-nominated (Duke won; Freeman, regrettably, did not). Patty Duke was as talented as any leading actess of her generation and her work here confirms that.

The chemistry between Patty Duke and Al Freeman Jr. is merely fascinating. Freeman was primarily a stage actor who got all too few chances on film. He was given his best role here, and makes quite an unforgettable impact. Duke is totally believable in her naivete and her ability, to learn, albeit slowly, even in the face of bleak desperation. Ford Rainey is unforgettable in a small role.

One of the best films to come out of the 1970's was originally made for television. MY SWEET CHARLIE was a sensitive and intense film originally broadcast on NBC directed by Lamont Johnson with a solid screenplay by famed television writing team Richard Levinson and William Link. The film stars Patty Duke as Marlene, a 17-year old, Southern, bigoted, uneducated girl, who, upon learning she's pregnant, runs away from home and finds refuge in one of those boarded up summer houses on the Carolina coast. Her solitude is broken when Charlie (Al Freeman Jr.) also arrives at the house. Charlie is a well-spoken, intelligent, African American attorney who is also seeking refuge because we learn he is on the run and it is the relationship that develops between these two polar opposites brought together by circumstance that forms the basis of this involving story as we watch instant mistrust and resentment between these two people trapped for very different reasons learn to trust and respect each other. Patty Duke won an Emmy for her superb performance and Al Freeman Jr.'s equally memorable performance earned him a nomination as well. Detailed direction by Johnson and a meticulously crafted script are just icing on the cake. A groundbreaking film from the 70's that earned so much acclaim that it was actually released theatrically overseas. A classic, pure and simple.

I remember this from my Childhood here in England. Its a film that makes you cry at the end. I don't mind admitting it. I have searching for this film for 30 years (* The title of it) And it was only yesterday that a a person who uses this website helped me find the film's title.

That person is - ladyboss1717 - (*That's her code name!!!). I wish to thank that person in helping me find a classic, classic movie that could easily be made into a blockbuster - (She helped me on the 1st Nov, 2005 - to find this film). Its got that "Green Mile, Captain Courageous and Shawshank Redemption" vibe about it. Its that good. Trust me!

Basicially its about - A pregnant white Southern girl and a black New York lawyer, both on the run in rural Texas, meet up in a boarded-up, abandoned house and realize they both need each other in order to survive. THey eventually would you believe it fall in Love.

You need to see the story to see what I mean about "Eventually fall in Love"...

Its another tear jerkier!! If anyone who works in Hollywood. Please, please serioulsy consider re-making this film. But do it properly!! Treat with care!! This is a classic....

Carl Brown - Ipswich, England